• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SZ-16 advantages over Panasonic SZ8

  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 288 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.0 fps vs 1.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic SZ8 advantages over Olympus SZ-16

  • Less expensive
    $170 vs $230 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    159g vs 227g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Panasonic SZ8

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SZ-12

Olympus SZ-16
Olympus SZ-12
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bulb shutter

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Olympus SZ-12

Panasonic SZ8
Olympus SZ-12
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Olympus SZ-12

Compared to Pentax VS20

Olympus SZ-16
Pentax VS20
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Pentax VS20

Panasonic SZ8
Pentax VS20
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20

Compared to Nikon S6400

Olympus SZ-16
Nikon S6400
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Nikon S6400

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S6400
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Nikon S6400

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Olympus SZ-16
Olympus SZ-15
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Olympus SZ-15

Panasonic SZ8
Olympus SZ-15
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Olympus SZ-16
Samsung WB50F
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Samsung WB50F

Panasonic SZ8
Samsung WB50F
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung WB50F

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